Samsung's touchscreen Eternity TV phone unveiled

Yet another touchscreen handset—complete with 3G, GPS, and plenty of messaging options—hits the streets. The twist? Access to live TV, via AT&T's MediaFlo-powered video service.

Available now for $149 after rebates and a new, two-year contract, the Eternity bears a striking resemblance to the new Samsung Behold on T-Mobile (also $149 after discounts). Both phones have roomy, touch-enabled displays (3.2 inches in the case of the Eternity), along with mobile e-mail and instant messaging, virtual QWERTY keypads, and access to speedy 3G networks.

But the Eternity adds something extra to the mix: live multicast TV via AT&T's Mobile TV service (also available on the LG Vu and the Samsung Access). It's a nice perk for times when you're stranded in an airport or just need a quick fix of TV, and (in general) picture quality is much better than the streaming video on standard 3G phones. The drawbacks: Still just 10 channels available, available in only about 50 cities (check the map), and service starts at a somewhat pricey $15/month (a 30-day trial is available for new Mobile TV subscribers).

Other features on the Eternity include a 3MP camera (versus 5MP on the Behold), Bluetooth, GPS navigation, full-track music downloads through AT&T Music, an accelerometer that automatically orients the screen when you turn the phone sideways, one-way video conferencing (though AT&T Video Share), and a microSD memory expansion slot (up to 8GB).

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Press release